Popular waterfront cafe closing its doors this weekend

UPDATE 2PM: Events planned at The Waterfront Cafe Bar will be managed by Mackay Regional Council through the MECC after it was announced the cafe would be closing this weekend.

The closure comes after the current operator was notified by the council to vacate the premises.

In a statement issued Friday, the council said it was advised that the operator of the café went in to liquidation in late June and a liquidator was appointed.

"The current operator has no lease with council to operate and the liquidator has not consented to assignment of the lease,” the statement said.

"The current operator therefore has no legal rights, contract or appropriate licenses to operate the café.”

Council CEO Craig Doyle said as there was no formal agreement with the current operator of the Waterfront Café, council has notified the operator to vacate the premises.

Mr Doyle said council has a responsibility to ensure operators utilising council assets had the appropriate agreements in place.

"We have an obligation to manage council-owned premises and with no existing agreement in place, it puts the organisation and ratepayers at risk,” he said.

"We have been upfront with the current operator and have worked with them to ensure the closure happens as smoothly as possible and any events planned will be managed by Council through our MECC to minimise any disruptions,” he said

"We intend to call for tenders to appoint a new tenant as soon as possible so that the Café can be utilised and the current operator is welcome to submit a tender, if they wish.” Mr Doyle said.

INITIAL:

THE Waterfront Cafe Bar has announced it will be closing its doors this weekend with Sunday the last day of trading.

The cafe, at the Bluewater Quay in Mackay's CBD, posted on its Facebook page: "Due to unforeseen circumstances the Waterfront Cafe Bar will have their last day of trading this Sunday, August 13. Contact management for any queries. Be sure to come say goodbye with our last Sunday sesh hosted by Jade Fiyen”.

Management at the cafe approached by the Daily Mercury today declined to comment on the reasons for the closure.

Staff said they had found out a week ago that they would lose their jobs.

Luke Reynolds has worked at the Waterfront Cafe Bar for only a month. He already has a new job lined up but said he sympathised with the other nine staff members and two juniors who would lose their jobs after one week's notice.

Jennifer Lama also will be out of work when the venue closes. With her brothers, Ms Lama applied for a house in the past week and said she was saving for a car.

"I am very sad, I am worried,” she said. "My family is coming over from New Zealand soon to visit and I am struggling to find a house and pay rent.”

Her job at the cafe was her first in Australia since moving from New Zealand.

"I came in March and got this in June,” she said. "I have experienced a lot and have been taught a lot. It was a good two months.

"I had no experience in hospitality and I had a great opportunity. I found good people.